What powder does Lee Classic Loader call for?

[sharpenit]

Have ordered a Lee Classic Loader to reload 7.62 X 54r. Have looked at Lee's site and various forums, but don't see recommended powder. Would like to get that on order to, so everything arrives about the same time.

Thanks.

[Gster]

H 4895
IMR 4064
RL-15
A 249H 380
IMR 4350
Win 760
VIHT N-140 just to name a few. These are from Hornady 8th

[jaguarxk120]

First step should have been to buy a good reloading manual like the Lyman 49th Reloading Handbook.

[Unclenick]

The Lee Loader comes with a powder scoop and a charge table to tell you which powders that scoop works with in your cartridge with different bullet weights.

[Lemmon]

The Lee's Modern reloading 2nd Edition does give the load data for the 7.62 X 54r and the proper Lee dipper that would give that load. I like reloading manuals, great reading when you compare the different publications even of the same companies. I started on the Classic Loader in early 70's. The first thing I bought was a lee primer tool. Next was powder scales. And the fun began......

Lemmon from rural South Carolina

[oldpapps]

Unclenick beat me to it.

I don't do that round, so I don't have that 'wack-a-mole' and the scoop data. (Have a few of them)
Try calling LEE. They are good people and will help.

From their web page:

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7:30am-3:45pm Central Standard Time (CST)
phone: (262) 673-3075
fax: (262) 673-9273


Enjoy,

OSOK

[sharpenit]

"Unclenick


The Lee Loader comes with a powder scoop and a charge table to tell you which powders that scoop works with in your cartridge with different bullet weights. "

Thanks, Unclenick. I was hoping that someone might have the 7.62X54r kit and could tell me which powder is recommended with that scoop.

[rajbcpa]

Powders are in short supply now. Most shelves are empty or close to empty. Ditto for primers which I have not been able to buy for many weeks - anywhere.... bullets seem to be plentiful, at least for now.

[Unclenick]

Sharpenit,

I couldn't find a list of included scoops anywhere on the Lee site, so I would take Oldpapps's suggestion to call Lee and ask.

[sharpenit]

Thanks, Unclenik, I appreciate the try.

And thanks, everyone, for the other suggestions. I definitely will be getting a reloading manual.

[oldpapps]

sharpenit,

Think seriously about getting a set of scales. It would take the limitations out of the mix.

I think H4895 would be a good options as it covers a very wide range. But, I don't know the scoop number that comes with the kit. Scales. Later on if you want the complete mobility afforded with the 'wack-a-mole' kit, you will have the dipper number.

Enjoy,

OSOK

[biganimal]

The loader in question comes with 2.5 powder dipper
The only powder/bullet combos listed in the lee manual are as follows

220 gr jacketed
Use full dipper of
H4895
V-n150
V-n540


200 gr jacketed
V-n540

These are starting loads
A set of dippers and slide chart would be
A smart investment
Thats what I used for several years loading for
My mosin

[hk33ka1]

I usually load 7.62x54 on a press, and I am planning on picking up a Classic Loader for it. That said in the other calibres I have loaders for I find that the scoop that Lee supplies always works out to powders or bullet weights I don't use so I bought the complete set up scoops and chart along with the scale I use for normal loading.

This way if the included scoop only does a charge for N-150 for my calibre and bullet weight I can select another scoop to charge say IMR 4895 etc. Or of course I can use the scale and use any powder/charge that the manual allows for.

[sharpenit]

Originally Posted by kh33ka1

I usually load 7.62x54 on a press, and I am planning on picking up a Classic Loader for it.

Thanks. By the way, what bullet diameter do you use in reloading your 7.62? I've been reading various forums and some people say the Lee Classic Loader calls for .308, but some people have found the .308 is too skinny and just drops into the cartridge. Some say they use .310 or .311.

What manufacturer and diameter do you recommend?

Thanks.

[Marco Califo]

Lee dies include the scoop (Lee calls them dippers). Either you get one inside your die box, or they send the complete set, (which I doubt, unless you order it). I do not recommend paying for the dipper set because the Perfect Powder Measure is only a few dollars more.
Dippers X Powders chart is here: http://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/Dippers.pdf
Lee does provide free load data on the die instruction sheet, but you cannot download the data. Load data is available free from all powder manufactures.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx
http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con...d_data_3.5.pdf

As to bullet diameter needed, that is specific to the individual rifle you are loading for, and its actual bore diameter, which can be determined by measuring a soft lead slug passed through the barrel. The best diameter bullet for your individual rifle might be any, or none, of the diameters listed.
Bullets dropping into the cartridge would indicate something completely different, like brass hasn't been resized and cannot be used yet.
You should obtain (or download) a manual and reloading instructions and READ!

[m&p45acp10+1]

I use a press, and have used various sizes of bullets in my rifles in 7,62x54. The best accuracy was with Sierra Hot Core .311 I think they were 150 grain Soft Points.

For economy I use .308 bullets for .30 Carbine due to the fact that I load .30 carbine, and have a lot of them on hand. I use Trail Boss, and the 3.1 cc dipper that came with the die set. They are easy on the shoulder, and sound like a .22 LR and have a loud sonic crack afterwards. They shoot minute of 4 inch steel plate at 25 yards, and hit it harder than .357 Mag does.

Here is a link to a youtube video of me shooting one at the range. Note how it is not that loud, then the sound of the sonic boom. They are ton of fun to shoot.

http://youtu.be/WQ0b9dsMlXE

[hk33ka1]

I changed my Lee die expander out for one from a .303 so I can seat .311" bullets. The standard one with Lee dies is for .308" bullets.

I do not know what size bullets the Lee Classic Loader is set to size for.

I load .310/.311 jacketed, but mostly use cast bullets I made at .312-.313".

The Lee Powder measure kit (dippers) is nice, and so is the perfect powder measure, or any other roatating drum powder measure (RCBS etc). But with any of the adjustable measures you will need a scale to set it so you know how much powder it drops. With the fixed dippers a scale is nice to tell you wat you are getting exacty but they are cose enough to be safe.

If for example you use the 3.1cc to scoop Varget (should be 42.4gr) and it actually scoops 42.8gr with your lot of Varget and your specific load data allows 41 - 45.5grmax Varget your'e set. A scale of course allows you to scoop exacting amounts or set up a powder thrower to whatever you want. I find with practice you can get the dippers to be within .1gr per scoop using Lee's friends method described in the Lee manual.

[Marco Califo]

"But with any of the adjustable measures you will need a scale to set it so you know how much powder it drops. With the fixed dippers a scale is nice to tell you wat you are getting exacty but they are cose enough to be safe."
While I generally agree completely with your post. However, the Lee Perfect Powder Measure comes with a volumetric chart for all powders that allows you to set the volume for a predicted charge. Yes, I have a scale. But, with the PPM, knowing that it works and does in fact drop the predicted amount of powder, I would say that the dippers and PPM are equally usable without a scale, or until yo get a scale.

[hk33ka1]

You are right Marco, I forgot about the CC markings on the PPM.